Tamil Nadu-based eco-tourism company, INDeco Leisure Hotels Private Ltd, Kumbakonam, has received the National Tourism Award for Best Rural/Agri/Plantation tourism project in India for the year 2016-17.
Steve Borgia, chairman and managing director, INDeco, on Wednesday said that this was a recognition for being “pioneers” for rural and eco-tourism in India. INDeco Hotels’ property in Swamimalai has been given this national award.
“I don’t see this purely as a business but a way to improve the economic conditions of the entire village. Apart from providing job opportunities, the hotel also buys all its necessary items such as vegetables and even uniforms from the people of the nearby villages,” said Mr Steve.
Parameters
“The crucial parameters based on which properties are chosen are about the histories and the stories that can be woven around a place. There is immense potential in rural Tamil Nadu that can be fascinating for foreign tourists,” he said.
The key to success in eco-tourism business is to find properties that can provide unique experiences to guests and be beneficial to local people of the village. “We offer guests experiences such as climbing a coconut tree or how to ride a bullock cart or a historical tour of places around the property such as temples and old palaces,” he said.
Sea food theme
The company is coming up with another property in Mamallapuram and on the ECR. The theme of the property will revolve around food in the surrounding areas – especially sea food.
